Destroying Avalon free essay sample

Destroying Avalon by Venus Pham Published in 2006, ‘Destroying Avalon’ is a Young Adult fiction novel written by Katie McCaffrey. It depicts the story of Avalon, a 14 year old girl, whose life drastically changes when she moves from the country side of Grace Point to the city of Sorrento. As she enters a new school she becomes a target of a bullying campaign which escalates to being bullied both face to face and through blogging sites. Attacked by strangers and people she knows, the novel gives a strong insight towards teenage struggle and betrayal. Destroying Avalon’ explores the effects of bullying, search for identity and adolescent peer pressure. The novels illustrates not just only the hurt and sorrow a victim of bullying feels but how bullying can potentially destroy people internally. ‘Destroying Avalon’ is a compelling book about bullying, hardships and importance of friendships. In ‘Destroying Avalon’, the story is told through t he eyes of Avalon. I believe this technique is powerful and effective as this allows for the readers to connect and sympathise with her on a deeper emotional level. By writing in first person perspective, I was able to comprehensively understand her thoughts and feelings. When I read how the bullying began and the torment Avalon continuously endured, I would often ask myself what I would do if I was in Avalon’s situation. I know I would have the strength and support to end it so initially I was confused and quite furious that Avalon did not defend herself. However, as I continued to read on, I began to understand why she chose not to stand up her to bullies and saw how the bullying affected her. Avalon was emotionally broken and felt that she was in an unsafe environment where she was alienated and unheard. The novel allowed for me to develop a whole new perspective on bullying and the importance of having a strong support network. Though I have not experience bullying firsthand, I found that there are moments in every person’s life where they have felt alone, depressed and inferior. Everybody goes through dark periods in their life and that aspect in the novel is what I found most relatable and realistic. At first, ‘Destroying Avalon’ did not appeal to me as teen bullying novels can be predictable. However, despite not liking the genre the plot was engaging and gripping. The author created characters that could be described as complicated, unpredictable yet strong individuals with quiet determination. The plot was well structured, taking readers through an incredible journey of a 14 year old adolescent but also allowed room for the imagination and the analysis of teenage behaviour. Aimed at adolescents aged 15-18 years, the novel uses modern phrases, internet slang and imagery to make the text more appealing to the target audience. The story really highlights the dangers of the internet and how damaging words can be. Cyber bullying can be seen as worse kind of bullying as there is no escape from it. Avalon was tormented through technology where rumours were spread through blogging site, threatening emails and text messages. Traditional bullying victims are considered ‘safe’ once they reach their homes but through cyber bullying, the harassment is never ending. It is constant, overwhelming and soul-destroying. Being the target of cyber bullying, Avalon often, if not always, felt exposed even in the privacy of her own bedroom, â€Å"†¦ the one place I had felt safe until it was invaded through my fifteen inch, flat screen monitor. (page 127). What stood out to me the most was the climax which was also the saddest. This section analysis the absolute devastation of cyber bullying and examines in detail how the situation completely struck Avalon and how it made her feel so empty and lost. I was disgusted and left in disbelief that there are people my age who are capable of creating such pain towards others and it really made me feel sympathy towards the characters. The novel is absorbing, terrifying, uplifting and detailed. It is intriguing to see how Avalon starts off as a happy and easy going teenager and yet, the effects of bullying changed her attitude and mood. I am curious and intrigued to know the logical reason of the cyber bully as only Avalon’s thoughts were explored. The cyber bully who may have had experienced some form of torment themself pulled me into a train of thought to how one can be capable of such hateful behaviour. Cyber bullies often confide in the fact that their identities would not be discovered making them the most weak and cowardly. It was fascinating to read how teenagers and people in general can treat each other with such cruelty and how the young minds can easily manipulate themselves to think that they are to blame the choices of others. Although society has grown and evolved since the book was written, technology, too, has evolved which has resulted to the increase of cyber bullying. The book is good for adolescents as they can relate to the events in the novel and even for parents to have a clearer understanding to the harms of the internet. Technology and the internet is such a big part of our lives in modern society and the novel project powerful message that addresses the issues today. After reading ‘Destroying Avalon’ it gave me a different outlook on how I treat people and repercussions my actions may bring. The novel is hard hitting, descriptive, faced paced with good plot development and tackled the severity of cyber bullying and the horrific effects it can have on people’s lives.